Deposed President Erap Estrada to run for Manila Mayor?

(SPOT.ph) Former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada is "toying with the idea" of joining the 2013 mayoral elections in Manila, reports GMA News. The news came from one of Estrada's media officers, Ferdie Ramos, who said the ousted president wishes to continue his pro-poor advocacy and to "settle issues" with incumbent Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.

According to Ramos, Estrada "felt betrayed by Mayor Lim," who allegedly did not implement "certain projects" for Manila’s poor. "Marami siyang pangako na hindi ginawa sa Maynila (He failed to fulfill many of his promises for Manila). Ramos, however, did not specify which projects were not executed.

Ramos also said that the potential candidacy will be "a walk in the park" since the Tondo-born Estrada remains popular among the city’s poor. The former president also held a 17-year term as mayor of San Juan City. Should Estrada run, he might compete with another close friend, former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, for the post. Current Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, meanwhile, has also put his name forward as a prospective running mate for Estrada.

Ramos clarified that Estrada's potential return to the mayoral seat is not to vindicate his leadership. The former president's second place finish in the 2010 elections is enough vindication for him, Ramos said.